The Black Market, which the pirates had fled from in just a few hours, easily crumbled.
In a situation where everyone fighting together was still not enough, acquaintances banded together to find a way to survive.
Those hiding inside buildings were blown away along with the buildings themselves.
Those hiding underground were found and eliminated by Kai.
Those trying to escape to the Dimension Boundary were not missed by the Skyeye Giants.
“Half of it’s already destroyed.”
From the Skyeye Giants, Choi Kangjoong could see the entire situation of the Black Market at a glance.
The central area had steadily turned into nutrients and Evolution Points.
Walkers, Scouts, and Warriors worked tirelessly, closing the huge numerical gap.
But the outer area was problematic.
As the unscathed zones shrank, more and more tried to escape to the Dimension Boundary, and there weren’t enough forces to pursue them all.
“I need to produce more flying Apocalyids.”
Choi Kangjoong tripled the number of Air Scouts, Fighter Warriors, and Fighter Giants.
With 10 Air Scouts, 5 Fighter Warriors, and 1 Fighter Giant guarding each direction, nothing could slip out of the Black Market.
Thunk!!
A newly born Fighter Giant soared through the air and fired its Chitin Cannon.
The hastily constructed Dimension Ship, trying to escape the monster-infested dimension, was smashed to pieces.
Amid the wreckage of the Dimension Ship, various species flailed helplessly.
Air Scouts and Fighter Warriors rushed in, cutting off their breath and handing them over to the Walkers.
[Evolution Points acquired.]
[Evolution Points acquired.]
[Evolution Points acquired.]
[Evolution Points acquired.]
[Evolution Points acquired.]
Evolution Points accumulated at an incredible speed.
They had only digested a third of the living beings in the Black Market but already amassed over one million points.
[Current Evolution Points: 1,007,784]
“I can evolve Bioweapons to stage 4.”
[Bioweapon evolving to stage 4.]
[Bio Torpedo production unlocked.]
[Bio Torpedo launchers can be equipped.]
Though Bio Torpedoes required a lot of nutrients, their power was tremendous, capable of sinking even large Dimension Ships with just a few shots.
Even if there was no immediate use, they would be very useful later against fleets of Dimension Ships or well-defended dimensions.
After a while, 30,000 more points accumulated, allowing one to evolve to stage 5.
“Of course, Chitin Gauntlets…”
Choi Kangjoong shook his head decisively.
As an Outer Mind, he couldn’t make decisions only for himself.
Hair loss was certainly an important problem, but it was a higher priority to evolve the race in the necessary direction.
“The next opponent will probably be Elf Pirates.”
As a veteran of the Dimension War, Choi Kangjoong recalled the strengths and weaknesses of elves.
Their strength lay in their swift mobility.
They would flash from east to west, destroying supply lines and raiding the main base before anyone noticed.
Their weakness was their defense.
Investing so much in speed, whether through magic or spirits, left their defense lacking.
“What should I upgrade? Attack power and skills are sufficient.”
Stage 4 Chitin Blades were enough to pierce through elf defensive magic or spirits.
Stage 4 Combat Nerve wouldn’t let them lose against skilled Elf Swordsmen, at least.
“Psionics are fine for now, and stage 5 Bioweapons are overkill. There’s no use for Bio Torpedoes yet.”
Even on close inspection, there was no reason not to upgrade the Chitin Gauntlets.
If the defense was high enough to block elf attacks effectively, their speed advantage would become useless.
Moreover, by devouring the Black Market, they would gain over two million Evolution Points.
“It’s more efficient to produce flying Apocalyids than to catch up with speed through race evolution.”
[Chitin Gauntlets evolved to stage 5.]
[Psionic specialization combined with Chitin Gauntlets.]
[Chitin Gauntlets evolved into Psionic Chitin Gauntlets.]
[Physical defense enhanced.]
[Mana resistance enhanced.]
“Psionic Chitin Gauntlets? Mana resistance enhanced?”
Mana-based attacks had always been a chronic weakness of the Apocalyids.
Choi Kangjoong’s firepower build had the purpose of repaying magical bombardment doubly.
“That means they can withstand magic or spirit attacks well. Fighting demons will be easier, too.”
He praised his past self.
“Psionic specialization is truly a lifesaver. I chose well. My Chitin Gauntlets got stronger too.”
All Apocalyids’ Chitin Gauntlets evolved into Psionic Chitin Gauntlets.
Devouring the Black Market halted as nutrients and brains were used for evolution application.
Suddenly, silence spread everywhere, and the residents peeked out.
“They stopped!”
“Are they out of energy?”
“Now’s the time! Kill them quickly!”
Survivors shot Magic Arrows at the Warriors.
Ping.
“Did it bounce off?”
“They hit just a moment ago…!”
The Warriors’ heads turned.
Their black eyes, devoid of any emotion, observed the survivors.
“Eek!”
“We’ve been spotted!”
“Run!”
They rushed out of the room in a panic.
But their positions had already been pinpointed.
Scouts hanging from the ceiling dropped down.
Thud! Thud-thud-thud! Thud!
Predators stabbed by sickle claws and pierced by tails were dragged into digestive pits.
“The death toll has clearly dropped.”
Warrior classes didn’t die unless hit directly by Fireballs.
Scout classes found Magic Arrows dangerous, but now they could take a hit.
“Dieeee!!!”
One left alone after losing comrades fired a machine gun.
The Scouts hid behind cover and called for support.
A nearby Warrior hurried over.
Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping! Ping!
After confirming the machine gun was no threat, the Warrior boldly advanced.
A shadow fell over the predator’s pale face.
Swoosh.
Their head was sliced off along with the machine gun, dropping among spent shells.
“Row harder! We need to get away quickly!”
Those aboard the hastily repaired Dimension Ship rowed vigorously.
The wind spirit pushed them, and speed quickly picked up.
But their actions were being watched in detail by the Skyeye Giants.
“Oh, here they come!”
An Air Scout the size of a giant bird rapidly approached.
They fired bows, guns, and cast magic, but the Air Scout nimbly dodged as if mocking them.
Tatatatatatung!
Chitin spikes pierced the Dimension Ship.
The crude ship couldn’t withstand the impact and was destroyed, leaving people flailing.
Thunk!!!
With the enemy neutralized, the Apocalyids conserved nutrients by taking down targets one by one with precise shots.
That only spread greater terror among the survivors.
“Spare me!”
“Aah!”
“Go away! Go away!”
The Air Scouts killed them one by one.
The time between the first and last death was less than a minute, a small consolation.
“They’re doing well.”
Choi Kangjoong left the rest to Lutal and Kai and lived his daily life.
He ate, exercised, absorbed mana stones, and slept.
He occasionally used a computer.
He spent more time watching DimensionNet or news than playing games.
Three days passed like this.
[Dimensional Devouring begins.]
Walkers spread Apocalyid spores.
The spores became biological vessels, sending remaining nutrients to the digestive pits.
A thick tube extended, connecting to Kuong and supplying nutrients.
Kuong ate them, grew larger, and increased the number of Mana Cannons.
[Evolution Points acquired.]
[Evolution Points acquired.]
[Evolution Points acquired.]
[Evolution Points acquired.]
[Evolution Points acquired.]
[Current Evolution Points: 2,197,321]
“Two million points! Hehehe.”
Enough to raise two race evolutions to stage 5.
Just watching made him feel fulfilled.
“What should I upgrade?”
He had been thinking while passing the time.
Combat Nerve and Psionic.
If he raised Combat Nerve, close combat with elves would be easier.
Psionic enhanced all abilities using mana.
Evolution Codes like stealth detection, long-range vision, wind flight, Mana Cannon, and the Psionic skills of Lutal and Kai.
They all improved the Apocalyids’ overall capabilities.
[Combat Nerve evolved to stage 5.]
[Psionic specialization combined with Combat Nerve.]
[Combat Nerve evolved into Psionic Combat Nerve.]
[Psionic skill efficiency enhanced.]
[Wireless Neural Network generated.]
Choi Kangjoong tried using the Aura Blade.
Mana efficiency improved unbelievably.
Yesterday, he could only maintain it for 10 seconds, but now he could hold it for 20.
The Wireless Neural Network was a system where the brain and ganglia linked wirelessly.
It transmitted signals faster than a normal nervous system, allowing extremely rapid responses.
Choi Kangjoong could feel the Wireless Neural Network within his body.
[Psionic evolved to stage 5.]
[Psionic specialization combined with Psionic.]
[Psionic evolved into Enhanced Psionic.]
[Psionic skill power increased.]
[Bioweapon efficiency enhanced.]
Lutal’s Aura Blade became stronger, and Kai’s Blink extended in range.
The same effects applied to Choi Kangjoong.
Mana consumption for Chitin Rifles, Chitin Cannons, and Mana Cannons decreased.
“With this, we shouldn’t lose to the Blacktree Pirates.”
The Blacktree Pirates’ base was on a different level than anyone they had fought so far.
They were faster, stronger, and had superior organization.
Especially with elves like Natasha from the Derrael family, their Dimension Ships couldn’t be underestimated.
Just knowing the Safe Passage in the Kraken Sea wasn’t enough to become notorious pirates across all dimensions.
“We have enough nutrients to produce three Titan Classes.”
Though it would be convenient to produce three Titan Classes, it was becoming difficult to deal with the elves’ mobility.
“Let’s produce mostly fast ones. We need more Walkers, too. Nutrient absorption is slow.”
Most of the Black Market’s population was too precious to waste on Scouts.
Increasing Walkers would handle the weakest targets and speed up putting organic matter into digestive pits.
He increased 2,700 Walker Class, 700 Scout Class, 85 Warrior Class, and 12 Giant Class.
Airborne troops included 300 Air Walkers, 100 Air Scouts, 20 Fighter Warriors, and 8 Fighter Giants.
There were even 400 Runner Scouts.
Cannon Giants had doubled to 12.
The two Apocalyids had grown to 4,224.
[Dimensional Devouring completed.]
Proudly watching the Apocalyids, Choi Kangjoong unfolded a star chart.
It was a 3D map depicting the Safe Passage and Mana Storm zones.
- Choi Kangjoong drew a straight path from the Black Market to the Blacktree Pirates’ base.
The detour would take five days, but going straight would take only two.
“What’s the best kind of attack? A surprise first strike.”
Who would imagine the forces that destroyed the Black Market would break through the Mana Storm?
The pirates wouldn’t expect an attack coming from the Mana Storm side, so he could seize the initiative.
“Let’s go.”
All the Apocalyids moved toward the Blacktree Pirates.
Blacktree Pirates’ base.
Natasha stood at the harbor, waiting to receive guests.
The one called the Black Admiral, ruling the Kraken Sea, was coming with heavy footsteps.
A massive Dimension Ship approached.
Though its outer wall was covered with sinister paintings and carvings, a fiercely rising ominous aura prevented it from looking like a mere cruise ship.
From it, a small Dimension Ship flew out and landed in front of Natasha.
The stairs descended, and a man adorned with luxurious jewels stepped down.
Numerous attendants supported him.
“Welcome, Duke Akirif.”
Duke Akirif of the Greed Legion, one of the Four Great Demon Legions.
A duke ranked two levels below a legion commander but was a big shot equivalent to the head of a nation on Earth.
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